Seven cent cotton forty sent meat
How in the world can a poor man eat
Pray for the sunshine cause it will rain
Things getting worse drivin all insane
Built a nice barn painted it brown
Lightening came along and burnt it down
No use talkin any man’s beat with
Seven cent cotton and forty cent meat
Seven cent cotton a carload of tax
The loads too heavy for our poor backs
We got a set of farmers we all know well
But there’s something wrong sure as hell
We all work hard we groan and sweat
Now we plum ruined and a blowed up set
No use talkin any mans beat with
Seven cent cotton and forty cent meat

No corn in the cob no chicks in the yard
No meat in the smokehouse no tubs full of lard
No cream in the pitcher no honey in the mug
No butter on the table and no lasses in the jug
Things to eat are always high
Everyone is selling no one will buy
We quit kickin the faults not our own
We just can’t reap where we have sown
Seven cent cotton and forty cent meat
keep gettin thinner cause we don’t eat
Tried to raise peas tried to raise beans
All we can raise is turnip greens
Folks always sick paw mus cough
Aint had no sugar since Ma dropped off
No use talkin any man’s beat with
Seven cent cotton and forty cent meat

Seven cent cotton and forty cent meat
How in the world can a poor man eat
Flour up high cotton down low
how in the world can we raise the dough
Our clothes worn our shoes run down
Old slouch had with a hole in the crown
Back nearly broken Fingers all wore
Cotton goin down to rise no more
Seven cent cotton and forty cent meat
Feels like a chain is on our feet
poor gettin poorer all around here
Kids coming regular every year
Plant corn was a wet year
Plant wheat and it turned a corn year
No use talkin any man’s beat with
Seven cent cotton and forty cent meat

Seven cent cotton and forty cent meat
Who in the devil has got a chance
We cant buy clothes we cant buy meat
Got too much cotton not enough to eat
Can’t help each other what shall we do
I can’t solve the problem so its up to you
Seven cent cotton and forty cent hose
Guess we will have to do with out our clothes
Seven cent cotton and forty cent meat
how in the world can a poor man eat
Mules in the barn and crops laid by
The [cubo] plum empty and the cows gone dry
Well waters low nearly out of sight
Can’t take a bath on a Saturday night
No use talkin any mans beat with
11 cent cotton and 40 c meat

Oh a long time you know Ive been waiting
For those words which you never did say
Now alas all my found hopes have vanished
For they tell me your going away
From this valley they say you are going
I shall miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
For you also take with you the sunshine
That has brightened my pathway the while

Then consider awhile ere you leve me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
But remember the red river valley
And the maiden whose heart beats for you

Then remember the valley your leaving
How lonely and dreary it will be
and remember the heart you are grieving
And be true to your promise to me

When you go to your home by the ocean
May you never forget the sweet hours
That we spent in the red river valley
Nor the vows we exchanged mid its flowers

Oh there never could be such a longing
In the heart of a white maidens breast
As there is in this heart that is breaking
With love for the boy who came west

And the dark maidens prayer for her lover
To the spirit that rules o’er the world
Is that sunshine his pathway may cover
Leave his grief to the red river girl

Three years ago since Jack and Joe
Set sail across the foam
Each vowed his fortune he would make
Before returning home
In one short year Jack gained his wealth
And home he did set sail
And just before they shook hands to part
Poor Joe could only say

Give my love to Nellie Jack
And kiss her once for me
The sweetest girl in all this world
Im sure you’ll say is she
Treat her kindly Jack old pal
And tell her I am well
His parting words were don’t forget
To give my love to Nell

Two years have past and Joe at last
had gained enough for life
And he set sail across the sea
To make sweet Nell his wifebut when he reached his nature shore
A friend toWhen on his way he heard them say
That Jack and Nell were wed
He now regrets between sales and [frets]
That he had ever said

When on the street they chanced to meet
Said Joe you selfish elf
The next girl that I learn to love
I”ll kiss her for myself
But all is fair in love they say so since you’ve gone and wed
I’ll not be angry Jack old pal
Once again he said

In a garden in Paradise
Thats where my dreams come true
Happiness lingers in every place
And chases away the blues
I am dreaming always of you
All the day through loving and true
I am dreaming of a garden in Paradise

Let the air blow in upon me
Let me see the midnight sky
Stand back sisters from around me
Oh it is so hard to die
Raise the pillow up dear Martha
Sister Martha you are kind
Come and stand just here beside me
Ere I leave you all behind

Hold my hand so cold and frozen
Once it was so softa and white
And the ring that falls down from it
Clasped my fingers round so tight
Little ring they thought so worthless
That they let me keep it there
Only a plain and golden circle
And A braid of Douglas hair

Oh my Father Oh my mother
Will you not forget the past
When you hear some stranger tell you
How your stray lamb died at last
Out of all that used to love me
Who will weep when I am dead
Only you dear sister Marthat
Keep the last watch by my bed

Sister Martha are you near me
You are kinder than the rest
Lift my head and let me lean it
While I live upon your breast
I am Coming Douglas coming
Where you are I’ll soon be there
Free at last I come my dearest
Death gives back your little Claire

Sister Martha Sister Martha
Has the moon gone down so soon
Oh this cell is cold as winter
Tho I know tis only June
Sister in your white bed lying
Sleeping in the June moonlight
Through your dreams there comes no message
Claire dies all alone tonight

What is this?

An Ethnomusicalogial transcription of folk song lyrics from an original 1928 source scribed by Frances Jackson of Wingham, Ontario, Canada. Transcription done by her great grand daughter, a Master of Arts candidate at York University in Toronto - Jacklin Falconer. December 2008.